Sleeve connector with pivoted side for ducts



Aug. 7, 1956 -E. was 2,757,946

SLEEVE CONNECTOR WITH PIVOTED SIDE FOR DUCTS' Filed March 8, 1954 United States Patent ()fifice 2,757,946 Patented Aug. 7, 1956 SLEEVE CONNECTOR WITH PIVOTED SIDE FOR DUCTS Edward Weig, Riveredge, N. J., assignor to Columbia Metal Box Co., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 8, 1954, Serial No. 414,605

2 Claims. (Cl. 285-419) This invention relates to connectors for channel-shaped metallic ducts of the character used for containing electric wiring, cables, and other conductors, and one of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved, easilyapplied connector by means of which lengths of the channel-shaped duct are connected together in rigid end-to-end relationship.

Ducts of the character to which the device of the present invention is applied are usually of trough-shape or channel-shape and are generally provided with a closure in the form of a hinged Wall or cover member. The standard duct is usually provided adjacent to its ends with stampedout lugs or ears, and the present invention contemplates the provision of connection means which will receive or interlock with these ears and establish continuity between two abutting lengths of duct.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a connector for the purpose mentioned, which can be easily fitted in place; which will securely attach two duct ends together and which will add strength and rigidity to the joint between the ducts.

With these and other objects to be hereinafter set forth in view, I have devised the arrangement of parts to be described and more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein an illustrative embodiment of the invention is disclosed,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a duct connector constructed in accordance with the invention;

-Fig. 2 is an end view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the pivoted plate detached from the body of the connector;

Fig. 4 is an edge view of the plate;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through the connector;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the connector, with the pivoted plate swung to open position, and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the connector, with an end of a duct shown in dotted lines.

Referring to the drawing, 1 indicates the bottom or base wall of the connector, and 2 and 3 indicate respectively the side walls of the same. The parts 1, 2 and B are preferably integrally formed by being stamped from suitable sheet metal, such as sheet steel, and these parts may be reinforced, if reinforcement is found necessary or desirable, by means of the pressed-out, elongated ribs shown at 1'1 and produced in the three walls, 1, 2 and 3.

At its free end, the wall 2 is formed with an inturned flange 4, and a somewhat similar inturned flange 6 is formed on the free end of the wall *3. A portion of the inturned flange 6 is cut away as indicated at 7 in Fig. 6.

Pivoted to the flange 4 by a rivet 8 or other suitable pivoting means, is a metal plate 9 which extends across or bridges the space between the flanges on the free ends of the walls 2 and 3 as clearly seen in Figs. 1, 5 and 7-. Near its free end, the pivoted plate 9 is provided with a stamped-out lug 10 which is depressed out of the plane of the body of the plate 9, so that said tongue takes under the flange 6 at the end of the wall 3 in the manner seen in Fig. 5. The cut-away portion 7 in the flange '6 facilitates the engagement of the lug 10 underneath the flange 6. Each of the walls 2 and 3 of the connector is formed with cut-outs or notches 12 extending inwardly from its side edges, and said notches are provided with the undercut portions indicated at 13.

From the foregoing, the operation of the improved connector will be readily understood. In coupling or joining together two lengths of square duct, the connector is placed within the ducts at the ends thereof and struck-out tongues 14, provided as standard on the ends of the two abutting ducts, will be caused to enter the undercut portions '13 of the notches 12 in the walls 2 and 3. This will serve to interlock the connector with the ends of the duct sections and the connector will thus join the ducts together. When the pivoted plate 9 is swung to its closed position, as shown in Fig. 7, the attachment of the connector will be'complete, and the joint between the two coupled ducts will then be a strong and rigid one. The ducts are usually closed by means of the keyed cover indicated at 15. The holes hown at 5 in the base wall '1 of the connector can be used for the reception of fastening screws, or for other purposes similarly to the holes generally provided in one or more of the walls of the ducts.

Having described a single embodiment of the invention, it is obvious that the same is not to be restricted thereto, but is broad enough to cover all structures coming within the scope of the annexed claims.

What I claim is:

l. A connector for ducts comprising, a channel-shaped sheet metal member having spaced side walls and a base wall integrally connected thereto, the ends of the side walls being provided with inturned flanges disposed substantially parallel to the base Wall and directed toward one another and spaced apart, a plate pivoted flatly against one of said flanges on a pivot disposed at right angles to the plane of the flange, said plate being pivotal to extend across the member and have its free end brought to rest on the second flange, the plate being provided adjacent to said free end with a stamped-out lug taking under said second flange when the plate is extended from one flange to the other, the side walls of the member being provided with undercut notches to receive tongues on the adjacent ends of two ducts, said undercut notches interlockingly receiving said tongues in a manner to prevent endwise separation of the ducts.

2. In a connector as provided in claim 1, wherein each side wall has two of the undercut notches and each of said walls is formed with a rib located between its notches.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,640,521 Wheeler Aug. 30, 1927 1,983,989 Pallas Dec. 11, 1934 2,178,286 Norton Oct. 31, 1939 2,655,072 Poupitch Oct. 1 3, 1953 

